Summary of newsmakers from the previous day - 31.1.2006

Number of vegetable growers decreased last year in the Czech Republic due to fall of prices in 2004

A number of vegetable growers and vegetable growing area decreased last year in the Czech Republic. A number of producers declined according to preliminary data of the Greengrocers Union of Bohemia and Moravia by about 9 % to 1069 producers. The vegetable growing area reduced last year by more than 2300 hectares to 10 792 ha. It was caused by a fall of buy-out prices of vegetable in 2004. The last year was more favourable for the growers, said a chairman of the Greengrocers Union Jaroslav Zeman to journalists.

Acquirement of agricultural land and forests by EU citizens in light of transitive period

The Czech Republic has negotiated a change from an enactment of contracts, on which the European Union is based, in the Treaty on Accession for a term of seven years. The Czech Republic has been a member state of the EU for almost two years. In the Treaty on Accession it arranged certain restrictions which are about to prevent citizens of other member states and companies established according to a right of other member states, which are neither settled nor enlisted in the register in the CR, to acquire certain kinds of real property. However, often there are various misleading and many times also efforts to avoid arranged restrictions.

The future of Czech countryside is EAFRD

This insignificant and a bit breakneck abbreviation hides a name of obviously the more important fund supporting rural development in countries of the European Union - the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. This subsidiary fund will start to work “with live ammunition” from the beginning of 2007. It can seem that it is preterm to write about it eleven months before it comes to life.

Prices of vineyards fall due to difficulties with sale of wine

Due to decrease of domestic and foreign consumption of French wine, prices of vineyards in France fell in last two years by 40 per cent. The decrease avoided only Champagne and some vineyards producing extra-reputable marks. It is reported in a study published by the BNP Paribas bank. The fall of prices in last two years moves between ten and 50 per cent. In the area Beaujolais, where a hectare of vineyards costs in average 20 000 euro (about 600 000 crowns) now, it is by 50 per cent.

Source: Agris, 01.02.2006